I have been trying to find a supplier for a particular type of "knurled
nut".  The nut in question is the type that comes with presta style
bicycle tubes.

The dimensions do not need to be exact, and because of the
application, the thread size DOES NOT MATTER.  I would like the
material to be as cheap as possible, perhaps zinc?

Dimensions:
OD = .4" +- .05"
ID = Does not matter
Thickness = .125" +- .05"

The application is not to use the nut as a fastner, but as part of a
toy.  The knurled nut is allowed to roll on the inside of the toy,
creating a humming sound.  So what is important is: 1) the round
shape, 2) the texture which provides a humming sound and friction, and
3)cheap! cheap! cheap!  For the end product to be priced practically,
I need these for around a penny a piece.

I would like a volume supplier for these nuts.  But what I need now is
a supplier that can sell me about a 100 of them, so that I can make
and send prototypes to toy manufacturers.

If I ever get to a production stage, I might just have a tool made
that creates the actual item I need, and not use a knurled nut.  But
for the protyping, I need to find a source for the nuts.

I have emailed more than a dozen suppliers of fasteners that I sourced
on the web, and none could help.  The local hardware stores all did
not have them.  The only place I can find them is at bicycle shops,
where they don't sell them, but have them laying around from presta
valve innertubes.

Thanks,
Owen Fowler

The male counterpart to this is commonly called a "thumbscrew" and may
be easier to find in a store where you can try each of a variety of
sizes.  You would have to cut the screw part off, but thumbscrews are
also often available in plastic so it would be easy to cut.

You can probably find a variety of these at local hardware or
electronics supply stores.  They may not be cheap at a store, but you
can find just the right size and try contacting the manufacturer for
bulk purchasing.

Unless you need the hole in the center, then it might be more trouble.

I can supply the nut your asking for. Since it will be made from
scratch all the options are open as far as size, surface texture and
material. It can be made from plastic, aluminum, brass, steel or
anything else depending on design requirements. Priceing at a penny
each is a bit of a stretch except for very large orders. In the case
of a prototype small run of 100 made in aluminum with a knurled
surface and a plain hole in the center I would expect to see a price
of about $2 each. For larger runs a die can be made for die casting or
forgeing and the price will come down. If you like we can try to make
contact.

nf1001ga-

Would it be cheaper to Punch them out of a sheet somehow- accuracy is not critical.

As for the prototype, it would be cheaper for me to go to 10 bicycle
stores and collect 100 nuts from them.  I neeed to get the price down
to a peeny or less- even if I have to go overseas.

Thanks,
Owendouglas

depending on the design, punching, die casting, forgeing all can be
used to get the price down but to make the die pay for itself it will
take an order of many thousands of parts, no matter where its made
here or overseas.

Can't anyone find out where the knurled nuts are made?
Are the tube stems all supplied by Presta, or does this no define a
type produced many places, also with the K'd nuts?
Try the tube manufacturers.
And xcarlx-ga, isn't your thumbscrew the "female" part?  In German,
any nut is called a "Mutter" - mother, for obvious reasons  - for one
reason.

"And xcarlx-ga, isn't your thumbscrew the "female" part?  In German,
any nut is called a "Mutter" - mother, for obvious reasons  - for one
reason."

The thumbscrew has the part that sticks out and goes through the hole
in the nut, so I figured it would be called male.

xcartx-ga,
Okay, okay.  I think I misunderstood what you meant.  Mabe I was
thinking of winged nut(?), which makes me think of some kind of flying
idiot  - in the abstract only.
Thanks for your explanation.